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ear
1[eer]
noun
the organ of hearing and equilibrium in vertebrates, in humans consisting of an external ear that gathers sound vibrations, a middle ear in which the vibrations resonate against the tympanic membrane, and a fluid-filled internal ear that maintains balance and that conducts the tympanic vibrations to the auditory nerve, which transmits them as impulses to the brain.
the external ear alone.
The hat completely covers his ears.
the sense of hearing.
sounds that are pleasing to the ear.
keen or sensitive perception of the differences of sound, especially sensitiveness to the quality and correctness of musical sounds.
an ear for music; a violinist with a good ear.
to gain a person's ear.
any part that resembles or suggests an ear in position or form, as the handle of a teacup.
Architecture.crossette.
Journalism.a small box in either upper corner of a newspaper page, usually the front page or split page, containing the name of or a symbol for the edition, a weather bulletin, a slogan, or the like.
Furniture.
a decorative feature at the upper end of a leg.
one of the decorative features at each end of a crest rail.
Slang.ears, earphones.
ear
2[eer]
noun
the part of a cereal plant, as corn, wheat, etc., that contains the flowers and hence the fruit, grains, or kernels.
verb (used without object)
to form or put forth ears.
ear
3[eer]
verb (used with object)
to plow; cultivate.
ear
1/ ɪə /
noun
the organ of hearing and balance in higher vertebrates and of balance only in fishes. In man and other mammals it consists of three parts See external ear middle ear internal ear
the outermost cartilaginous part of the ear (pinna) in mammals, esp man
the sense of hearing
sensitivity to musical sounds, poetic diction, etc
he has an ear for music
attention, esp favourable attention; consideration; heed (esp in the phrases give ear to, lend an ear )
an object resembling the external ear in shape or position, such as a handle on a jug
Also called (esp Brit): earpiece.a display box at the head of a newspaper page, esp the front page, for advertisements, etc
very attentive; listening carefully
without reading from written music
slangto reprimand severely
to be ignored or pass unnoticed
to be stubbornly disobedient
informala sharp rebuke
to be in a position to influence
he has the ear of the president
heard but unheeded
to be or try to be well informed about current trends and opinions
informalto ruin disastrously
one is aware of being the topic of another's conversation
informaldismissed unceremoniously
to act according to the demands of a situation rather than to a plan; improvise
to perform a musical piece on an instrument without written music
to start to listen attentively; become interested
to cause disagreement or commotion
informala blow on the ear delivered as punishment, in anger, etc
to be deliberately unresponsive
informaldeeply involved, as in work or debt
informalinexperienced; naive; immature
ear
2/ ɪə /
noun
the part of a cereal plant, such as wheat or barley, that contains the seeds, grains, or kernels
verb
(intr) (of cereal plants) to develop such parts
ear
1The vertebrate organ of hearing, which in mammals is usually composed of three parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. The organs of balance are also located in the ear.
An invertebrate organ analogous to the vertebrate ear.
ear
2The seed-bearing spike of a cereal plant, such as corn or wheat.
ear
The organ of hearing, which also plays a role in maintaining balance. It is divided into the outer ear (from the outside to the eardrum), the middle ear, and the inner ear.
Other 51Թ Forms
- earless adjective
- earlike adjective
- ˈ adjective
- ˈˌ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of ear1
Origin of ear2
Origin of ear3
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of ear1
Origin of ear2
Idioms and Phrases
bend someone's ear, to talk to someone uninterruptedly and often so as to induce boredom.
He'll bend your ear for hours if given the chance.
have / keep one's ear to the ground, to keep well-informed about current trends; be shrewd or astute.
Because she had her ear to the ground, she made a large fortune in stock speculation.
pin someone's ears back, to give a person a sound beating; defeat a person utterly.
If he doesn't behave himself, I'll pin his ears back.
by ear, without reference to written or printed music.
to play the piano by ear.
give ear, to pay attention; listen carefully. Also lend an ear
fall on deaf ears, to be disregarded; pass unheeded.
Their pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears.
be all ears, to give all one's attention; listen.
We were all ears as the scandal was revealed.
go in one ear and out the other, to be heard but ignored; be put out of mind.
My repeated warnings to her went in one ear and out the other.
turn a deaf ear to, to refuse to listen to or consider (a request, petition, etc.).
He turns a deaf ear to requests for loans.
up to one's ears, deeply involved or occupied to full capacity.
We are up to our ears in work.
wet behind the ears. wet.
set on one's ear / ears, to excite or stir up; shock; amaze.
The presence of the movie star set the whole town on its ear.
have one's ears on, to be listening to a CB radio, police radio, walkie-talkie, etc.
set by the ears, to cause to dispute or quarrel.
He's a troublemaker who keeps trying to set the two other children by the ears.
bend an ear, to listen attentively.
to bend an ear to a request for aid.
Example Sentences
Sanders’ design for Disney superstar Stitch, namely his large almond-shaped eyes, ears and pronounced mouth, also influenced the design.
But what if they fall on deaf ears?
What's wrong with a kid wearing cat ears or roaring like a lion at playtime?
Maybe a man in my arms would neutralize the sound of steel guitars in my ears.
She turns around, smiling from ear to ear, and daps up the coach.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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